Machine tool having two machining units movable over a long x-

Abstract

A machine tool for machining a workpiece according to the present invention comprises a left-side machining space, a right-side machining space, a left-side machining unit movable along an X-axis, and a right-side machining unit movable along the X-axis. The left-side machining unit is movable between a left-side end position and the right-side machining unit, and the right-side machining unit is movable between a right-side end position and the left-side machining unit. When the left side machining unit is in its left side end position and the right side machining unit has moved to its abutment against the left side machining unit, the right side machining unit is at least partially arranged in the left side machining space so as to machine the left side workpiece. When the right-side machining unit is in its right-side end position and the left-side machining unit has moved to its abutment against the right-side machining unit, the left-side machining unit is at least partially arranged in the right-side machining space so as to machine the right-side workpiece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine tool specifically for machining workpieces, comprising at least one workspace and at least one machining unit for machining workpieces arranged in the workspace. Background Technology

[0002] This type of machine tool is well-known.

[0003] In contrast, the present invention solves the following problem: providing a machine tool that is as versatile as possible in workpiece machining. In particular, tool changes or loading and unloading should be performed simultaneously whenever possible. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by a machine tool for machining workpieces, the machine tool comprising:

[0005] - A left-side machining space and a right-side machining space, the left-side machining space having a left-side workpiece stage for clamping left-side workpieces, and the right-side machining space having a right-side workpiece stage for clamping right-side workpieces; and

[0006] - A left-side machining unit and a right-side machining unit movable along the X-axis, the left-side machining unit having a left-side work spindle for machining the workpiece, and the right-side machining unit having a right-side work spindle for machining the workpiece, wherein the left-side machining unit is movable between a left-side end position and the right-side machining unit, and the right-side machining unit is movable between a right-side end position and the left-side machining unit.

[0007] Wherein, when the left processing unit is at its left end position and the right processing unit has moved to abut against the left processing unit, the right processing unit is at least partially arranged in the left processing space to process the left workpiece, and / or when the right processing unit is at its right end position and the left processing unit has moved to abut against the right processing unit, the left processing unit is at least partially arranged in the right processing space to process the right workpiece.

[0008] According to the present invention, two processing units that can move along the long X-axis and two workpiece stages spaced apart in the X direction are provided, thereby enabling selective processing of workpieces by the relevant processing units individually in their respective workspaces, or processing of workpieces by the two processing units jointly in their workspaces.

[0009] The left and right spindles can be the same size or different sizes or have different power. In the latter case, for example, a larger, more powerful spindle on the right can "help" in the machining space on the left.

[0010] When the left machining unit is at its left end position, the right working spindle overlaps with the left machining space in the X direction, preferably at least 50%, particularly preferably at least 70%. When the right machining unit is at its right end position, the left working spindle overlaps with the right machining space in the X direction, preferably at least 50%, particularly preferably at least 70%.

[0011] Preferably, the X-direction width of the left machining space and the X-direction width of the right machining space are at least twice the minimum possible X-axis spacing of the two work spindles. Due to this measure, in the case of joint machining, the two work spindles can each overlap the X-direction width of the workspace by at least 50%. Advantageously, the X-direction widths of the left and right machining spaces have the same dimensions, but they can also be different.

[0012] The machine tool preferably has at least one bottom guideway extending along the X-axis, in which both the left-side machining unit (particularly the left-side moving column of the left-side machining unit) and the right-side machining unit (particularly the right-side moving column of the right-side machining unit) are guided to move in the X-direction. In the case of a moving column, the machine tool is a machine tool with a moving column design.

[0013] Two machining units can be guided to move in a shared bottom guide rail or in separate bottom guide rails, wherein, in the latter case, the two machining units cannot cross each other in the X direction. For example, both the left and right moving columns are L-shaped, each having a short horizontal leg and a long vertical leg. The short horizontal leg is guided to move in at least one bottom guide rail, and the long vertical leg carries the work spindle. The left and right moving columns are arranged along the X-axis, with the free ends of their horizontal legs facing each other or away from each other. Advantageously, the left and right moving columns can be configured in a mutually mirror-symmetrical manner.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left end position of the left processing unit is the leftmost processing position of the left processing unit and / or the right end position of the right processing unit is the rightmost processing position of the right processing unit.

[0015] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the left end position of the left machining unit is arranged further to the left than the leftmost machining position of the left machining unit, and / or the right end position of the right machining unit is arranged further to the right than the rightmost machining position of the right machining unit. Therefore, this allows machining to be performed simultaneously by another machining unit while a tool change is being performed in the workspace of one machining unit, and workpiece loading and unloading to be performed simultaneously in another workspace. For example, the left end position of the left machining unit can be a left tool change position for changing a tool from the tool magazine to or from the tool magazine of the left machining unit, and / or the right end position of the right machining unit can be a right tool change position for changing a tool from or from the tool magazine of the right machining unit. Advantageously, the machine tool has a left tool magazine for changing tools into and out of the left machining unit and a right tool magazine for changing tools into and out of the right machining unit.

[0016] Preferably, a left pivot mount and / or a right pivot mount are provided. The left pivot mount is installed in the left machining space and can rotate about an A-axis parallel to the X-axis to have a left workpiece stage. The right pivot mount is installed in the right machining space and can rotate about an A-axis parallel to the X-axis to have a right workpiece stage. Therefore, the workpiece can be placed on the workpiece stage manually or by machine from above, and then, after the pivot mount has rotated 180°, the workpiece is machined in a downward-hanging manner, allowing chips generated during machining to fall unimpeded. Furthermore, the left workpiece stage can be mounted on the left pivot mount and / or the right workpiece stage can be mounted on the right pivot mount, each capable of rotating about a C-axis perpendicular to the A-axis.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a method for machining a workpiece on a machine tool as described above, wherein, in a first operating mode, the left workpiece is machined only by the left spindle and the right workpiece is machined only by the right spindle; and wherein, in a second operating mode, the left workpiece is machined by both the left and right spindles, and / or the right workpiece is machined by both the left and right spindles.

[0018] Optionally, in the third operating mode, one of the two machining units can move to its corresponding end position for tool change and simultaneously utilize the main machining time, while the workpiece on the right and / or the workpiece on the left can be machined by the other machining unit. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description and drawings. The illustrated and described embodiments should not be construed as an exhaustive enumeration, but rather as having exemplary properties for describing the invention.

[0020] In the attached diagram:

[0021] Figure 1 A top view of a machine tool according to the invention is shown, the machine tool including a left machining unit and a right machining unit movable along a long X-axis, wherein the left machining unit is arranged in a left machining space and the right machining unit is arranged in a right machining space;

[0022] Figure 2 The front view of the left and right machining spaces is shown;

[0023] Figure 3 A perspective view of the processing unit on the left is shown;

[0024] Figure 4a , Figure 4b It shows Figure 1 The machine tool, in which both the left-side machining unit and the right-side machining unit are arranged in the left-side machining space. Figure 4a ) or both are arranged in the processing space on the right. Figure 4b ); and

[0025] Figure 5a , Figure 5b It shows Figure 1 The machine tool has a left-side machining unit located at the left-side tool change position, and a right-side machining unit located adjacent to the left-side machining unit within the left-side machining space. Figure 5a ), and the right-side machining unit is arranged at the right-side tool change position, and the left-side machining unit is arranged against the right-side machining unit in the right-side machining space. Figure 5b ). Detailed Implementation

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the machine tool 1 for machining workpieces includes: a left machining space 11a having a left workpiece stage 12a for clamping a left workpiece 2a, which is circular in this case; a right machining space 11b having a right workpiece stage 12b for clamping a right workpiece 2b, which is also circular in this case; a left machining unit 10a movable along the long X-axis having a left work spindle 14a for machining workpieces 2a and 2b; and a right machining unit 10b movable along the long X-axis having a right work spindle 14b for machining workpieces 2a and 2b. The X-width of the left machining space 11a and the X-width of the right machining space 11b have the same dimensions in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, but may be different in an exemplary embodiment not shown.

[0027] The long X-axis is formed by a bottom guide rail 16, which extends within the frame 15 of the machine tool 1 (in this case, within the machine tool base). Within this bottom guide rail 16, the left machining unit 10a (in this case, the left moving column 13a of the left machining unit 10a) and the right machining unit 10b (in this case, the right moving column 13b of the right machining unit 10b) are both guided to move in the X-direction. Therefore, the machine tool 1 shown is a machine tool with a moving column design.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, in the frame 15, the left pivot 17a is arranged in the left machining space 11a, and the right pivot 17b is arranged in the right machining space 11b, so that each can rotate about an A-axis parallel to the X-axis. The left pivot 17a has a left worktable 12a, and the right pivot 17b has a right worktable 12b. Furthermore, the left worktable 12a can be mounted on the left pivot 17a, and the right worktable 12b can be arranged on the right pivot 17b, so that each can rotate about a C-axis perpendicular to the A-axis.

[0029] like Figure 3 Taking the left-hand processing unit 10a as an example, both movable columns 13a and 13b are L-shaped, each having a horizontal leg 18 and a vertical leg 19. In this case, the horizontal leg 18 is short and is guided to move within the bottom guide rail 16; and in this case, the vertical leg 19 is long and carries the corresponding work spindles 14a and 14b. On the vertical leg 19, the work spindles 14a and 14b are guided to move in the Y and Z directions via corresponding sliders 20 and 21. The free ends of the horizontal legs 18 of the two movable columns 13a and 13b face each other along the X-axis, and preferably, as shown here, are configured in a mutually mirror-symmetrical manner.

[0030] The left machining unit 10a is movable along the X-axis between its left end position and the right machining unit 10b. The left end position may be, for example, the leftmost machining position of the left machining unit 10a in the left machining space 11a, or a position further to the left than this leftmost machining position. The right machining unit 10b is movable along the X-axis between its right end position and the left machining unit 10a. The right end position may be, for example, the rightmost machining position of the right machining unit 10b in the right machining space 11b, or a position further to the right than this rightmost machining position.

[0031] exist Figure 1The image shows the left processing unit 10a in its leftmost processing position in the left processing space 11a, and the right processing unit 10b in its rightmost processing position in the right processing space 11b.

[0032] exist Figure 4a In this configuration, the left machining unit 10a is in its leftmost machining position, and the right machining unit 10b has moved to the left to abut against the left machining unit 10a. In this abutting position, the right work spindle 14b overlaps with the left machining space 11a in the X direction, preferably by at least 50%, and particularly preferably by at least 70%.

[0033] exist Figure 4b In this configuration, the right-side machining unit 10b is positioned at its rightmost machining location, and the left-side machining unit 10a has moved to the right to abut against the right-side machining unit 10b. At this abutment position, the left-side work spindle 14a overlaps with the right-side machining space 11b in the X direction, preferably by at least 50%, and particularly preferably by at least 70%.

[0034] The minimum possible X-spindle spacing between the two work spindles 14a and 14b (i.e., when the two machining units 10a and 10b are in contact with each other) is... Figure 4a , Figure 4b The value is denoted as ΔXmin. Preferably, the X-direction width of the left machining space 11a and the X-direction width of the right machining space 11b are each at least twice the minimum possible X-axis spacing ΔXmin.

[0035] exist Figure 5a In the middle, the left machining unit 10a is located at the left end position, which is arranged further to the left than its leftmost machining position and constitutes the left tool change position. In the left tool change position, tools can be changed into and out of the left machining unit 10a from the left tool magazine 22a. The right machining unit 10b has moved to the left and is against the left machining unit 10a.

[0036] exist Figure 5b In the middle, the right-side machining unit 10b is located at the right-side end position, which is arranged further to the right than its rightmost machining position and constitutes the right-side tool change position. In this right-side tool change position, tools can be changed into and out of the right-side machining unit 10b from the right-side tool magazine 22b. The left-side machining unit 10a has moved to the right and is against the right-side machining unit 10b.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In the first operating mode ("individual processing"), the left workpiece 2a is processed only by the left spindle 14a, and the right workpiece 2b is processed only by the right spindle 14b.

[0038] exist Figure 4a , Figure 4b In the second operating mode ("co-processing"), the left workpiece 2a is processed by both the left spindle 14a and the right spindle 14b. Figure 4a Alternatively, the workpiece 2b on the right side can be machined by both the left spindle 14a and the right spindle 14b. Figure 4b In a workspace where no processing is being performed, the main processing time can be used simultaneously for loading or unloading workpieces.

[0039] exist Figure 5a , Figure 5b In the middle, machine tool 1 is in the third operating mode, in which one of the two processing units 10a and 10b has moved to its corresponding end or tool change position for tool change, and simultaneously utilizes the main processing time, while the right workpiece 2a and / or the left workpiece 2b are processed by the other processing unit.

[0040] Alternatively, the left processing space 11a and the right processing space 11b may also be composed of the left and right sides of a single processing space, instead of being separately configured as shown in the exemplary embodiment.

[0041] Alternatively, the left worktable 12a and the right worktable 12b may also be composed of the left and right sides of a single worktable, instead of being separately configured as shown in the exemplary embodiment.

[0042] Alternatively, the left pivot 17a and the right pivot 17b can also be formed by the left and right sides of a single pivot, instead of being separately formed as shown in the exemplary embodiment.

Claims

1. A machine tool (1) for machining workpieces, comprising - a left machining space (11a) with a left workpiece table (12a) for clamping a left workpiece (2a) and a right machining space (11b) with a right workpiece table (12b) for clamping a right workpiece (2b); and - a left machining unit (10a) movable along an X-axis (X) with a left work spindle (14a) for machining workpieces (2a, 2b) and a right machining unit (10b) movable along an X-axis (X) with a right work spindle (14b) for machining workpieces (2a, 2b), wherein the left machining unit (10a) is movable between a left end position and the right machining unit (10b) and the right machining unit (10b) is movable between a right end position and the left machining unit (10a), wherein when the left machining unit (10a) is in its left end position and the right machining unit (10b) has been moved against the left machining unit (10a), the right machining unit (10b) is arranged at least partially in the left machining space (11a) for machining a left workpiece (2a), and / or when the right machining unit (10b) is in its right end position and the left machining unit (10a) has been moved against the right machining unit (10b), the left machining unit (10a) is arranged at least partially in the right machining space (11b) for machining a right workpiece (2b).

2. Machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that when the left machining unit (10a) is in its left end position, the right work spindle (14b) overlaps the left machining space (11a) in X-direction by at least 50%, in particular by at least 70%, and / or when the right machining unit (10b) is in its right end position, the left work spindle (14a) overlaps the right machining space (11b) in X-direction by at least 50%, in particular by at least 70%.

3. Machine tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The X-directional width of the left machining space (11a) is at least twice the minimum possible X-spindle distance (ΔXmin) of the two work spindles (14a, 14b), and / or the X-directional width of the right machining space (11b) is at least twice the minimum possible X-spindle distance (ΔXmin) of the two work spindles (14a, 14b).

4. Machine tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The X-directional width of the left machining space (11a) and the X-directional width of the right machining space (11b) are identical.

5. Machine tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The machine tool has at least one bottom rail (16) extending along an X axis (X), in which the left-hand machining unit (10a), in particular the left-hand mobile column (13a) of the left-hand machining unit (10a), and the right-hand machining unit (10b), in particular the right-hand mobile column (13b) of the right-hand machining unit (10b), are guided to be movable in the X direction.

6. The machine tool according to claim 5, characterized in that The left-hand mobile column (13a) and the right-hand mobile column (13b) are each L-shaped, each having a horizontal leg (18) guided to be movable in the at least one bottom rail (16) and a vertical leg (19) carrying a work spindle (14a, 14b), and the left-hand mobile column (13a) and the right-hand mobile column (13b) are arranged along the X axis (X) with their free ends of the horizontal legs (18) facing each other or facing away from each other.

7. Machine tool according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The left-hand mobile column (13a) and the right-hand mobile column (13b) are mirror-symmetrically formed with respect to each other.

8. Machine tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The left-hand end position of the left-hand machining unit (10a) is a left-hand most machining position of the left-hand machining unit (10a) and / or the right-hand end position of the right-hand machining unit (10b) is a right-hand most machining position of the right-hand machining unit (10b).

9. Machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The left-hand end position of the left-hand machining unit (10a) is arranged further left than the left-hand most machining position of the left-hand machining unit (10a) and / or the right-hand end position of the right-hand machining unit (10b) is arranged further right than the right-hand most machining position of the right-hand machining unit (10b).

10. Machine tool according to claim 9, characterized in that The left-hand end position of the left-hand machining unit (10a) is a left-hand tool change position for changing a tool from / to a left-hand tool magazine (22a) into / from the left-hand machining unit (10a) and / or the right-hand end position of the right-hand machining unit (10b) is a right-hand tool change position for changing a tool from / to a right-hand tool magazine (22b) into / from the right-hand machining unit (10b).

11. Machine tool according to claim 10, characterized in that The machine tool has a left-hand tool magazine (22a) for changing tools into and out of the left-hand machining unit (10a) and a right-hand tool magazine (22b) for changing tools into and out of the right-hand machining unit (10b).

12. Machine tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The left-side pivotable carriages (17a) have the left-side workpiece tables (12a) mounted in the left-side machining spaces (11a) so as to be rotatable about an A-axis (A) parallel to the X-axis (X), and / or the right-side pivotable carriages (17b) having the right-side workpiece tables (12b) mounted in the right-side machining spaces (11b) so as to be rotatable about an A-axis (A) parallel to the X-axis (X).

13. The machine tool according to claim 12, characterized in that The left-side workpiece tables (12a) are mounted on the left-side pivotable carriages (17a) so as to be rotatable about a C-axis (C) perpendicular to the A-axis (A), and / or the right-side workpiece tables (12b) are mounted on the right-side pivotable carriages (17b) so as to be rotatable about a C-axis (C) perpendicular to the A-axis (A).

14. A method for machining workpieces on a machine tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein In a first operating mode, the left-side workpiece (2a) is machined only by the left-side work spindle (14a), and the right-side workpiece (2b) is machined only by the right-side work spindle (14b); and wherein, In a second operating mode, the left-side workpiece (2a) is machined by both the left-side work spindle (14a) and the right-side work spindle (14b), and / or the right-side workpiece (2b) is machined by both the left-side work spindle (14a) and the right-side work spindle (14b).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, In a third operating mode, one of the two machining units (10a, 10b) is moved to its respective end position for tool change, and simultaneously with the main machining time, the left-side workpiece (2a) and / or the right-side workpiece (2b) is machined by the other machining unit.

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